Arrow Video vs Well Go USA in 2017’s Battle of the Ball!

19 January 2017

American distributor Well Go USA were quick to announce their PHANTASM Blu-ray Collection on Tuesday following UK label Arrow Video’s reveal last Friday that they would unleash their PHANTASM Limited Edition Blu-ray Collection on April 24th. Well Go USA have set a March 28th street date and released a preliminary list of Special Feature content.

While full details on both sets are yet to be finalised, we’re betting on the Arrow Video collection being the ruling release with newly commissioned special features, archival features, a 152-page booklet and silver sphere packaging. That said word on the street is that Red Shirt Productions are hard at work at finishing content for the Well Go USA edition so it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out. There’s no doubt that devout phans will need acquire both releases for completion sake.

We’ve collected all the information currently on-hand for both releases to weigh up which one is worthy of your pre-order and ultimate almighty dollar!

ARROW VIDEO Version

LIMITED EDITION SPECIAL PHEATURES
All 5 Phantasm movies together on Blu-ray for the first time!
Limited Edition Bonus Disc featuring Exclusive Pheatures
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for all films
Exclusive 152-page book with new writing on the Phantasm universe from Kim Newman and Bill Ackerman alongside a wealth of archive material, all fully illustrated with original stills and posters
Replica Phantasm Sphere
Limited Edition Packaging with newly-commissioned artwork from Gary Pullin

PHANTASM III: LORD OF THE DEAD (1994)
Original Theatrical Stereo or 5.1 Surround Options
Audio commentary with actors A. Michael Baldwin and Angus Scrimm
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm III – brand new pheaturette looking back at the making of Phantasm III, including new interviews with cast and crew
Original Trailer
Stills Gallery

PHANTASM IV: OBLIVION (1998)
Original Theatrical Stereo or 5.1 Surround Options
Audio commentary with director/writer Don Coscarelli and actors Angus Scrimm and Reggie Bannister
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm IV – brand new pheaturette looking back at the making of Phantasm IV, including new interviews with cast and crew
Original Trailer
Stills Gallery

PHANTASM: RAVAGER (2016)
2.0 Stereo and 5.1 Surround Options
Phantasm: Ravager 2016Los Angeles Premiere Audience Track – Join the audience of die-hard fans as they experience Ravager for the first time!
Audio commentary with director David Hartman and writer/producer Don Coscarelli
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm: Ravager – brand new pheaturette looking at the making of Ravager, including new interviews with cast and crew
Deleted scenes with optional audio commentary by David Hartman and Don Coscarelli
Phuntasm – Bloopers and Outtakes
Phantasm and You – a light-hearted recap of the Phantasm franchise directed by David Hartman
Original Trailer

BONUS DISC
Phantasmagoria – pheature-length documentary covering the original Phantasm through to Phantasm IV: Oblivion, including interviews with key cast and crew members
Phantasmagorical Tour – actor Reggie Bannister hosts a tour of some of the key filming locations from Phantasm
More To Be Announced.WELL GO USA Version

PHANTASM II (1988)
Audio Commentary with Don Coscarelli, actors Angus Scrimm and Reggie Banister
The Ball is Back documentary on the making of PHANTASM II
The Gory Days an interview with Special Make-up Effects Artist Greg Nicotero
Deleted Scenes
Workprint Scenes
TV Spots
Theatrical Trailers
Behind the Scenes
Still Galleries

Well Go USA’s release is currently ticketed at USD$79.98 + USD$6.98 P&H, working out to be around AUD$115.74 while Arrow Video’s release is ticketed at GB£83.33 (less VAT) + GB£3.58 P&H, working out to be around AUD$141.99. While prices are likely to drop on both collections closer to their street dates and the Arrow Video release will no doubt remain the higher priced of the pair, the Arrow Video release is also limited and likely to sell out prior or shortly after its shelf date.